ATLANTA, GA – Rheem®, a leading global HVACR and water heating manufacturer, celebrated the grand opening of its cutting-edge Innovation Learning Center (ILC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The ribbon-cutting event, inclusive of speeches given by Rheem leadership, Senior Vice President and General Manager Rheem US Air Conditioning Division Kevin Ruppelt and Fort Smith-based Rheem Director of Operations Andrew Welch, followed by remarks from Mayor George McGill and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and lab, and company-wide picnic, marked the occasion on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Diverse Training Needs
The Fort Smith Innovation Learning Center highlights Rheem’s ongoing commitment to education, innovation and quality. This $5 million investment in the local community boasts an impressive 10,000-square-foot facility designed to cater to the diverse training needs of both Rheem’s air conditioning division and water heating division specialists.
“We are committed to being active participants in the Fort Smith community. The skills and knowledge gained here will not only benefit our employees but will also be a driving force in strengthening our local economy,” said Welch. “We hope to inspire our local young people to see a future for themselves and their families by working in manufacturing and skilled trades.”
Interactive Learning
The classrooms within the ILC have been meticulously designed to provide interactive learning experiences, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for seamless live audio and video streaming. Rheem has a specialized hands-on classroom that comes equipped with tools and utility connections, allowing for demonstration installations and diagnostic training.
Supporting the Trades
The launch of the ILC was part of a larger Rheem investment, more than $20 million, in supporting the growth, learning and development of the trade industry and in the Fort Smith community. Rheem’s Fort Smith facility has been a cornerstone of its US air conditioning business unit and HVAC equipment manufacturing for more than five decades. This substantial commitment seamlessly aligned with Rheem’s overarching 10-year strategy to invest in fostering growth, leading through innovation and fulfilling its commitments to its customers.
For more information on Rheem’s training, visit www.rheemtraining.com.